Republicans believe only 18 percent of
Americans support gay marriage.

According to a Gallup survey of 1,535
adults released Monday, 63 percent of respondents say the public is
opposed to such unions, while 30 percent say the public supports it.

Less than half of Democrats (43%) and
independents (30%) believe the public supports marriage equality.
And 18 percent of Republicans say the public supports gay nuptials,
while 77 percent say the public is opposed.

For roughly two years, polls have found
that a majority of Americans support marriage equality. Gallup's
poll found 53 percent of respondents support its legalization, while
45 percent remain opposed.

Most respondents (40%) say such unions
will have no effect on society, while 39 percent say they will make
it worse. Nineteen percent believe that legalizing same-sex marriage
will have a positive effect on society, up from 10 percent in 2003.

In releasing its findings, Gallup
wrote: “Groups most likely to support gay marriage generally
tilt toward the view that it will neither harm nor benefit society.
Thus, it appears that a segment of those who support gay marriage
don't necessarily do so thinking that such a policy change would be
good for society, but rather because they think it will do no harm –
a view that goes along with a more libertarian perspective that
allows people to do what they want as long as it doesn't hurt other
people. Groups that oppose gay marriage, not surprisingly, view it
as harmful to society.”